I Stayed at Over 40 Hotels This Year
These were my favorites
That’s 3+ unique hotel stays per month. I practically lived in hotels in 2023. Hotels and Minnesota, actually—I did the math and spent 40 days(!!!) in my brother’s and sister in law’s Saint Paul home broken down into multiple visits from the end of January to early December. Good thing I like where they live. What a whirlwind.
Back to hotels: It was hard to choose favorites, but I based my decisions on things like comfort, design, hospitality, location, and more. How did I sleep? Did the bed/pillows feel like marshmallows? Was there a bathtub or a really great/different/special shower? What was the parking situation like if I was traveling with a car? How fast/efficient were the elevators? Did I feel welcome? How was the food? What was room service like? Were the aesthetics and look & feel cozy? In the end, it was really about where I felt the happiest and if I would return.
My Top 13 Hotel Stays of 2023
In no particular order, these were extra special in every way:
Windy Hill Farm and Preserve: A destination resort in Eastern Tennessee, Windy Hill is a family-owned property sitting on 650 acres of countryside. With just 18 accommodations, this is the kind of all-inclusive I like. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served on the property’s chef-driven restaurant, there’s live music on the weekends, you can ride around in a golf cart, and really immerse yourself in nature with wine hikes, beekeeping, bonfires, and a gorgeous (private) outdoor shower if you book one of the cabins. I loved every moment here and highly recommend this as a reset-style getaway.
The Inn at Serenbe: We’re always talking about these towns in the US that feel like Europe and Serenbe in Chattahoochee Hills is one of them. First off, I love that it’s a quick 30 minutes from Atlanta. Everything about the community is conducive to slow living and implementing Blue Zone principles in your daily routine, whether you live here or are just visiting. Again, this is a golf cart friendly community, which makes it easy to explore Serenbe’s many restaurants, its bookstore, wine shop, yoga studio, and spa. You could do this on foot, of course, too—or via bike or on a horse. Anything you may need for a weekend (or longer) away, I guarantee you’ll find it here.
Casa Modesta: Just one hour from the Spanish border, Olhaõ is a Portuguese dream come true where fresh fish abound and hundreds of crabs can be spotted in the marshes—not to mention flamingos, storks and other birds I’m not used to seeing out and about. The family-owned Casa Modesta is the perfect place to wake up every morning and watch birds migrating, shellfish gathering, and salt harvesting from your rooftop terrace. In the evenings, there is nowhere better to stargaze with a little nightcap in hand. Casa Modesta sits at the entrance to Ria Formosa Nature Park and has an organic garden, an honesty bar, a lovely pool, plenty of places to lounge, and free bikes for guests to explore the surroundings. The owners prepare a gorgeous, abundant breakfast for guests daily with fruits, herbs, and other ingredients gathered from their garden.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid: A true icon of Madrid, this historic hotel offers timeless elegance and a prime location near the famous Prado Museum. We stayed here in May for my birthday (thanks, bestie) and I was blown away by the decor, the service, views from our room, and just attention to detail 24/7. The bar here is stunning and although this is definitely one of the more expensive hotels in Madrid, our stay came with a hotel credit we used at the bar, free breakfast, and other wonderful perks. The tub here was huge and amazing, as they should be at 5 star hotels, and perfect for a soak pre-night out or post-hangover.
BLESS Hotel Madrid: Another beauty in Madrid, this luxurious hotel offers a comfortable and stylish stay in the heart of the city’s “Golden Mile.” It's known for its chic design and excellent service and is a short walk to Parque del Retiro and lots of designer shops. I had a massive room here that included a walk-in closet, the famed BLESS claw-foot tub, living room, and spacious balcony. Couldn’t have asked for a better stay. There’s a rooftop bar and restaurant where you can catch the sunset with a glass of wine and a lobby bar, perfect for grabbing a coffee or a cocktail. The spa at BLESS is visually like something out of a fairytale and includes a wet and dry sauna, hot tub, and treatment rooms.
Alsace LA: I’’ve stayed at this West Adams hotel a couple times and am always glad I did. In a historic South Los Angeles neighborhood, Alsace is a pastel meets earth-tone-colored dream with just 48 rooms, a perfect outdoor courtyard, a gym, pool and an intimate meeting space with desert vibes. Throughout the hotel you'll spot unique wall tile designs - all by local artists - adding to the really calming and grounding ambiance of the hotel. Opened in 2021, it doesn’t yet have a hotel, but that doesn't matter much. Here, you’re walking distance (AKA on the same street) as Tartine, Alta Adams, Adams Wine Shop, and a bunch of other restaurants.
The Portofino Hotel & Marina: I would’ve never given Redondo Beach’s Portofino a chance design-wise. It’s just not my style with its dark blues and creams and whites, a soft nautical theme perfect for a coastal grandma or anyone who loves to be by the sea. But this hotel is just proof that you can’t judge a book by its cover. The minute I walked into my oceanfront suite, I thrust open the balcony doors and was greeted by Pacific Ocean views and barking sea lions in King Harbor Marina. At sunset, I witnessed sailboats and rowers/kayakers drifting by and once dusk had fallen, I filled the tub with hot water and soaked until my fingers turned to raisins. I ordered room service for breakfast, which was delicious by the way, and really felt like I was worlds away from LA during my stay here.
The Kimpton Brice: I’ve stayed here often over the years when I visit Savannah because of the price point, the location, and because it’s dog friendly. But this year The Brice was renovated and it’s a whole new level of *nice* now. Rooms are spacious and comfy with four-poster beds, there are big armoires to hang your clothes, and a desk in case you need to get work done. I love the community aspect of this hotel—they have a daily happy hour free for guests and everyone kind of convenes around the outdoor courtyard for drinks and conversation, with new and old friends. The Brice also has a decent Italian restaurant, but you know me, if I’m in Savannah, I’m probably going to one of my favorite spots or a new hyped-up restaurant for dinner. Full disclosure: I really love the Thompson Savannah (they have D.S. & Durga products in the guest rooms, a great bar and restaurant, and is also dog-friendly with no additional fee), but due to location and because I haven’t stayed at this Thompson since 2022, The Brice wins for me.
Four Seasons Resort Nevis: Four Seasons properties always speak for themselves, for me. And although I did stay at the Four Seasons Ritz in Lisbon this year, too, there were a couple reasons it didn’t land on this list (namely, our room smelled of cigarettes when we checked in and our bathtub was dirty, which was so bizarre for this brand). I visited Nevis (Saint Kitts’ sister island) in October and the Four Seasons Resort Nevis has everything you could possibly think of, from beautiful bars and restaurants to a bathtub and balcony in your oversized guest room, a pickle ball court, monkeys(!!!) free-roaming the property and a spa, where the treatment rooms are individual island-style bungalows. I got the Nevisian Massage and am still thinking about it—it starts with a cleansing foot ritual infused with lemongrass and coconut milk and ends with a local, cold coconut water-filled coconut meant for sipping by the pool or in the hot tub.
The Equestrian Hotel: Though I was born and raised in Florida, I had never been to Ocala before. And let me tell you, this hotel seriously surprised me. It’s beautiful inside and out, but the greatest pleasures of staying here are the elevated accommodations. A marble bathroom. Buttery soft beds. Their rooms not only offer opulent comfort but also prime views of the Grand Arena. Imagine waking up, opening the curtains and having VIP access to equestrians jumping right outside your window. This place is like Disney, for grownups. Tons of bars and restaurants, shops (more than 30 retailers), and things to do all on the property. If you like horses or if you’re just passing through North Florida, book a room here. You won’t want to leave.
La Señoria: I can’t even tell you how much this place costs or how to book it because it’s a super exclusive and historic villa, as well as a wedding venue, in the heart of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Luckily, one of my best friends got married here and I got to experience its magic for myself. With only four guest rooms, each one is slightly different, but they all have that dark, gothic, luxurious feel. Big beds, furry blankets, over-the-top tubs and showers, and their own bath products. Every morning, we woke to a lovely homemade breakfast and coffee and I’m still dreaming about it almost three months later.
Hotel La Palma: Staying in Capri was my literal introduction to Italy and there's no turning back from that. We landed in Naples and from there, hopped on a ferry straight to the glitzy and glamorous island off the Sorrentine Peninsula. The recently renovated Oetker Collection property (it was actually the first hotel in Capri, built in 1822) stocks Santa Maria Novella products in the guest rooms and we had a nice big tub, a separate shower, and a full balcony to watch the sunsets from the privacy of our room. We enjoyed dinner and breakfast at Gennaro’s, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, and were showered with love and the best service from staff the entire time. At dinner, they gifted us homemade pomodoro to take home and kept our little limoncello glasses full. This hotel also has a great off-property beach club called Da Gioia and a shuttle that will take you there.
Hotel Mas 1670: In Catalonia, you’ll find the most charming little town called Calonge. Here, I stayed at Hotel Mas 1670, a 17th-century inn and bed & breakfast with an honor system in place so you can grab any bottle of wine or snacks from the common area, write your purchases down in a notebook, and pay for them upon checkout. Staying here feels like home with its pool, hilly mountain views, covered patio, and walkable cafes, bookstores, bars, and restaurants. Breakfast is prepared by the innkeeper and she will make you anything—I mean anything—your little heart desires.
Runners up (again, not in any specific order, but I would book these over and over):
Nobu Hotel Atlanta; Hotel June in Los Angeles; Pierside Santa Monica in Los Angeles; Montpelier in Nevis; The Darwin in Atlanta; The Thompson Atlanta; Hotel Clermont in Atlanta; Intercontinental Buckhead in Atlanta; Wylie Hotel in Atlanta; The Candler Hotel Atlanta; Hotel Colee in Atlanta; The Epicurean Atlanta; 1908 Lisboa in Lisbon; Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon; Hotel Lungarno in Florence; Finca Bell-lloc in Palamós, Spain; Más Comangau in Begur, Spain; The Hoxton in Rome and the Hoxton in Barcelona; Sonder Parian in CDMX; The Fairlane in Nashville; Hilton Head Health in Hilton Head, SC; Dreamers by DW in Wilmington, NC; and Aloft Asheville Downtown in NC. Bookmark these for your future travels (which I can—and would love to—help book for you).
Wasn’t a fan/would not return:
Hard Rock Puerto Vallarta: needs to be renovated, half the restaurants were closed, I’m just not a fan of all-inclusives like this one as much as I’ve tried to give them a chance
Andaz México City: cute property, guest rooms, products, and a delicious rooftop restaurant, but the service and hospitality were a mess all-around—no one knew what was going on
Hotel HCP in Calella de Palafrugell, Spain: very basic and our shower overflowed into the room
Sonder - La Casa del Sol in Barcelona: I didn’t hate this one once they moved us to a bigger/cleaner room, but it is loud, especially if your room is by a stairwell, and it’s hard to get assistance because it’s not staffed 24/7